Socket and fuse plug



H. W. BENOIT SOCKET AND FUSE PLUG Sept. 11, 1928.

Filed Jan. 50, 1925 m [N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented-Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD WILLTAM BENOIT, OF WATERTOWN; NEW YORK.

SOCKET AND FUSE PLUG.

This invention relates to sockets and plugs I andhas for its object a socket and fuse plug circuit across the terminals of thesocket.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in Which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a fuse block provided with a plug and socket embodying my invention, the plug being omitted from one of the sockets.

Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section of the fuse block shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an inner face view of plug.

As is well known, when a fuse blows out and another is not available, oftentimes a coin is inserted to temporarily close the circuit through the socket terminals, or a wire or some other conductor which is capable of carrying more current than the lamps, motors and other electrical appliances connected in the circuit intended to be protected by the fuse plug is inserted and the use of such substitutes for fuse plugs results in damage to the wiring and the electrical apparatus in the circuit and is liable to cause fire.

The object of my invention is a socket and a plug by which it is impossible to insert a conductor as a coin, metal disk or'some other piece of metal into the socket or to insert a bent wire or other substitute for a plug, so that the user is required to insert a fuse plug.

This socket and plug construction comprises generally a socket formed with a pair of passages and a barrier separatmg1 them and terminals in the passages, a plug aving spaced apart projecting terminals movable into the passages, the terminals of the socket and plug being so constructed and arranged that the plug must be inserted fully into the socket before a circuit is completed across the socket terminals.

1 designates the socket which is here shown as one of a group of sockets formed on the usual fuse block 2, the socket being formed with spaced apart passages 3 therein the fuse Application filed January 30, 1925. Serial No. 5,761.

opening through its -upper or entrance end, these passages being separated by a barrier 4.

5 designates one of the socket terminals mounted in one of the passages 3, this terminal being here shown as the angular end of a conductor secured to the under side of the fuse block 2 as by a screw 6, and as havinga Wire terminal 7 exposed on the face of the block. The terminal 5 is an upturned end of the conductor.

The other socket terminal preferably consists of a stationary part 8 and a movable part 9 which is normally spaced apart from the stationary part 8. The part 8 extends upwardly into the adjacent passage 3 from a conductor 10 formed integrally therewith secured to the outer wall or main body of the socket, and located on the under side of the block 2, the conductor being connected to a spaced apart from the part .8. The leaf spring has a laterall' turned end.13 secured to the inner en of the barrier 4, in any suitable manner as by a screw 14. This part 9 is formed with a cam 15 which is provided by bending the part 9, this cam 15 being located near the bottom of the socket andarranged to be engaged by the coacting plu terminal as the plug terminal approaches t e bottom of the socket.

16 designates the fuse plug which includes a head having prongs 17 projecting therefrom and arranged to move into the passages 3, these prongs being connected at their upper ends by a fuse element 18 in the head. As the plug or the projecting terminals17 thereof ass into the socket, one of the terminals 1 engages the terminal 5 and as the plug approaches the bottom of the socket, the other terminal 17 engages the cam 15 of the part 9 and forces it laterally into engagement with the part 8 thus completing the circuit across the socket terminals through the fuse element 18.

Preferably, the terminals of the and plug are formed are shaped.

Preferably, plugs of this type are made up to carry a particular amperage and are socket used in connection with circuits in which particular apparatus as washing machine motors are used and in branch light circuits or other circuits requiring a fuse of limited capacity.

This socket and plug is particularly advantageous in that it is practically impossible for the ordinary user to temporarily use permanent conductors as coins, bent wires etc., for the required fuse plugs.

What I claim is:

1. A socket comprising a block formed with a pair of are shaped passages located. diametrically opposite each other, a pair of terminals extending lengthwise of said passages, one of said terminals being are shaped and terminating near the outer end of its passage and the other terminal being located in the inner end portion only of its companion passage, a plug having a head overlying the outer end of the socket and terminals movable into the passages, the plug terminals being duplicates and are shaped, a leaf spring located in the passage containing the shorter socket terminal and being opposed to and normally spaced apart from the shorter socket terminal and arranged to be engaged by the plug terminal moving into said passage and pressed into engagement with the shorter socket terminal opposed thereto.

2. A socket comprising a block formed with a pair of are shaped passages located diametrically opposite each other, a pair of terminals extending lengthwise of said passages, one of said terminals being are shaped and terminating near the outer end of its passage and the other terminal being located in the inner end portion only of 1ts companion passage, a fuse plug having a head overlying the outer end of the socket and terminals movable into the passages, the

plug terminals being duplicates and areshaped, a fuse located in the head and connecting the plug terminals, a leaf spring located in the passage containing the shorter socket terminal and being opposed to and normally spaced apart from the shorter socket terminal and arranged to be engaged by the plug terminal moving into said passage and pressed into engagement with the shorter socket terminal opposed thereto.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Watertown, in the county of Jefferson, and State of New York, this 10th day of January, 1925.

HAROLD WILLIAM BENOIT, 

